Kids Pulled Out Of Day Care

Agency Stops Subsidizing Tuition At Center In Wake Of Girl's Death

DAYTONA BEACH -- Police wrapped up their investigation Wednesday into the death of a 2-year-old girl left in a van at a church-run day-care center.

Meanwhile, eight children were transferred out of the Abundant Life Academy of Learning after a nonprofit organization stopped subsidizing their education there in the wake of Zaniyah Hinson's death Friday.

"When a child-care provider is being investigated, we often opt to make that choice to protect the children. We don't want to pay for child care there until the investigation is completed," Child Care Resource Network CEO Jo Sheppard said.

Police said Zaniyah was trapped for about 2 1/2 hours inside a sweltering van Friday at the academy.

On Wednesday, investigators returned the green van in which Zaniyah died to the academy after they finished searching it for clues.

Now, as they pore over interviews and evidence, they must determine what charges, if any, will be filed, Daytona Beach Police spokesman Sgt. Al Tolley said.

Investigators have been tight-lipped about their investigation thus far.

According to a preliminary police report, teacher Gail Besemer took Zaniyah and 13 other children on a field trip in the van but did not "count heads" when she returned. Besemer and several other staff members have been interviewed by police.

Pastor Marcus Triplett, who is listed as the corporate agent of the ministry group that he said oversees the academy, was not available for comment Wednesday. Academy Director Tracey Mercer and Assistant Director Evelyn Teal did not return phone calls Wednesday.

The Child Care Resource Network funneled more than $11 million in federal, state and other funds to needy parents in Volusia, Flagler and St. Johns counties during the past fiscal year, ending June 30.

Only one of the children it subsidized will remain at the academy, even though the network said it would no longer foot the bill. The academy offered the 3-year-old child's mother a reduced rate, Sheppard said.

Some of the families were disappointed with Sheppard's decision.

"Some felt that, in spite of that incident, they still had confidence in that center. . . . Personally, I would not leave my child there," she said.

Benjamin L. Crump, a Tallahassee attorney hired by Zaniyah's mother, Tekela Harris, said the family spent Wednesday finalizing plans for Saturday's funeral. He said they still want answers and hadn't decided whether they would take legal action against the academy.

"We'll do everything in our power to see that this never happens to another child again at this day-care center," he said.